Patent GB-1353245-A (GB)
Title: Method of and apparatus for changing the conveyance direction of successively conveyed cigarettes or other rod-like tobacco articles
IPC: A24C5/345
Filed: 1971-04-19
Abstract: 1353245 Delivering cigarettes &c HAUNIWERKE KORBER & CO KG 19 April 1971 [5 March 1970] 22927/71 Heading A2C The operation of an apparatus for individually removing selected rod-like articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, filter rods or assemblies of two cigarettes with an interposing double length filter rod, from a predetermined path for a series of equidisiant discrete articles moving at an elevated speed and forming at least two groups, the articles 3a of one of said groups alternating with the articles 3b of another of said groups and the removal of selected articles being effected by a separating force to the action of which a selected article is subjected in response to a signal, comprises the steps of transmitting signals for removing selected articles 3a along a first route; transmitting signals for removing selected articles 3b along a second route; starting the action of said separating force in response to the thus transmitted signals and in a direction which crosses said path at a point coinciding with the locus of the respective selected article; and moving the point of application of said separating force along said path at said elevated speed and through a predetermined distance. The invention may, as shown in Fig. 1, be applied to the ejection in a zone B on a test drum 1 of those cigarettes found to be faulty in a test zone A. The cigarettes 3 are pneumatically tested for air leaks by a device 4 that produces an electrical output at 6 whenever a cigarette is found to be faulty. The fault signal is then delayed, for the time necessary for the faulty cigarette 3 to reach the ejection zone B, by a shift register 7 controlled by a pulse generator 8 in syncronism with the rotation of the drum 1. The pulse generator 8 also controls a change over switch 28 which directs the fault signal along one of two paths according to whether it is a 3a or 3b cigarette. The signal then passes to a flip-flop 26 or 27 and an amplifier 23 or 24 to the energising winding 21 or 22 and an amplifier 23 or 24 to the energising winding 21 or 22 of a control valve 16 or 17 to admit compressed air from a source 20 to a feed pipe 18 or 19 for a cigarette 3a or 3b respectively. The compressed air is fed from the pipes 18, 19 via slots 12, 13 in a stationary control ring 14 to ducts 10a, 10b leading to axial bores 5a, 5b respectively. Since the route for the control of the ejection air for cigarettes 3a is distinct from that used for cigarettes 3b, it is possible to apply the ejection air over an arc of rotation of the drum 1 that exceeds somewhat the distance between a pair of neighbouring cigarettes 3a, 3b, as can be seen by the length of the control slots 12, 13. The cancellation of the output c of the flip-flops 26, 27 when the duct 10a or 10b has reached the end of its control slot 12 or 13 respectively, is effected by a pulse generator 29 syncronised with the rotation of the drum 1. In another embodiment, a pneumatic control circuit replaces the electrical control circuit. In yet another embodiment, the cigarettes are not ejected by compressed air, but by the interruption of suction holding them to the test drum. In a further embodiment, Fig. 5, the control ring 414 is provided by the test drum 401, each holder 402 having one of two funnel shaped control slots 412, 413, each series of slots 412 being separated by a partition (431) from the series of slots 413. Compressed air is supplied by a pipe 481 to two separately controlled valves 416 (417) sited either side of the partition (431).  Another embodiment, Figs. 7, 8 (not shown), embodies a test drum each of the holders of which is associated with a controlable valve disposed on the drum, and a transmission means for transmitting the control signals to the travelling controllable valves. Power for the control valves is supplied by means of slip ring connections and actuation, along two paths, is effected by photo electric or inductive means.